Vascular and Inflammatory Disorders - Perfusion

These flashcards cover key concepts related to vascular and inflammatory disorders, focusing on aortic aneurysms, dissections, heart diseases, pulmonary issues, and transplant complications.

What is an aortic aneurysm?

Localized dilation and thinning of arterial wall causing it to weaken.

What are the main risk factors for an aortic aneurysm?

Atherosclerosis, hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking, age, and genetics.

What are common assessments for thoracic aortic aneurysms?

Often asymptomatic, with generalized symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath (SOB), hoarseness, dysphagia, and chest/back pain.

What diagnostic tool is a priority for assessing an aortic aneurysm?

CT angiography.

What is the goal of interventions for an aortic aneurysm?

Prevent rupture.

What is aortic dissection?

A life-threatening condition involving a tear in the intimal layer of the aorta, creating a false lumen and diverting blood flow.

What are the key assessments for aortic dissection?

Abrupt onset of severe tearing pain, diaphoresis, angina, new high-pitched heart murmur, and signs of decreased perfusion.

What is Beck's triad in relation to cardiac tamponade?

Hypotension, jugular venous distention (JVD), and muffled heart tones.

What are common symptoms of pericarditis?

Grating oppressive chest pain, especially worse on inspiration and lying down, and pericardial friction rub.

What interventions are used for pericarditis?

Relief of pain with positioning, anti-inflammatory medications, and treatment of the underlying cause.

What is chronic pericarditis?

Fibrous thickening of the pericardium causing decreased contractility and cardiac compression.

What are common causes of endocarditis?

IV drug abuse, prosthetic valve endocarditis, immune alterations, and structural heart defects.

What are the symptoms of myocarditis?

Range from asymptomatic to heart failure symptoms including fatigue, fever, and dyspnea on exertion.

What diagnostic tests are utilized for myocarditis?

CRP for inflammation, troponin for heart muscle damage, and EKG changes.

What characterizes dilated cardiomyopathy?

Structural abnormality where the ventricle walls are normal thickness but dilated, leading to decreased function.

What common symptoms may indicate hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

Decreased cardiac output, syncope, atypical chest pain, and ventricular dysrhythmias.

What assessment reveals pulmonary hypertension?

Increased pulmonary vascular pressure causing decreased blood flow to the lungs, typically above 25 mmHg at rest.

What is a pulmonary embolism?

A collection of particulate matter that enters venous circulation and lodges in pulmonary vessels.

What are the assessments for diagnosing a pulmonary embolism?

Sudden dyspnea, sharp chest pain on inspiration, cough, hemoptysis, and signs of right-sided heart failure.

What is the primary goal of long-term management after a cardiac transplant?

Lifelong immunosuppressant therapy to prevent rejection.

What are common complications following lung transplant?

Bleeding, infection, rejection, and diaphragmatic dysfunction.

What is bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS)?

A severe complication following transplant characterized by scarring and occlusion of small airways.